Health Library

What Are the Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. By the time symptoms develop, the cancer may have spread outside the prostate. Then, it’s harder to treat. These are the symptoms that occur when they do develop:

A need to urinate often, especially at night

Weak or interrupted urine flow

Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine

Loss of bladder control

An inability to urinate

Painful or burning urination

Painful ejaculation

Blood in your urine or semen

Pain or stiffness in your lower back, hips, or upper thighs

Loss of ability to have an erection

These symptoms may be caused by prostate cancer or by other, less serious conditions. It’s important to check with a doctor to be sure.